Christopher Cunningham, an entrepreneur based in Tampa, FL, now owns an entire block, Bay News 9 reports.
Initially aiming to purchase just one building, Cunningham was offered the chance to buy the entire block at 9513 N Nebraska Ave. He now operates two businesses there: True Value Hardware and his water restoration company, Dry 24
“From the inside it looks really small but there’s actually 1.88 acres here,” he explained to the outlet. “Initially, I was just looking at buying the store. I got a chance to talk to Mr. Chelle, and he said, ‘You can buy the store, but you gotta actually buy the whole block.’”
Cunningham, now the proud owner of five buildings on the block, hopes to see greater support for Black-owned businesses in Tampa, where 24% of the population is Black, per ABC Action News.
“I think it’s important in the city of Tampa — Tampa is 24% Black — that there are more Black businesses and that the corporate partners and the people who receive tax dollars, the private companies that benefit from Black businesses, actually spend back,” he said, according to Bay News 9.
Cunningham has also acquired a warehouse and plans to expand into the food sector.
“I try to help underserved areas,” he mentioned. “You see food deserts, but there are also deserts when it comes to stores and home improvement. A lot of major companies aren’t willing to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars into this area, but this area has great bones.”
Overall, Cunningham says his intention behind growing his businesses is to position himself as a resource to the surrounding community.
“A lot of times, people just sit and complain about problems,” he told Bay News 9. “Then others pour gas on it, and others decide to be the solution. And that’s what we want to do. I personally want to be the solution.”
